The Palio of the donkeys of Ollolai is the event that sees donkeys and grooms challenge each other in Piazza Marconi in the municipality of 1,177 inhabitants in the province of Nuoro in Sardinia in a traditional night race, divided into preliminary and final heats. Folklore parades, colors and music are also planned.
The aim is to promote and enhance an animal which in the past represented a precious asset for every Ollolaese family, and to make the town known to a wide audience through this event. Due to its originality, the show seems to evoke the most famous Palio of Siena in miniature.
To reach Ollolai from the Italian peninsula, you can embark with your vehicle on one of the Civitavecchia – Arbatax ferries which operate the route twice a week with a journey time of 9 hours. After disembarking, to reach the destination, it is possible to take the SP27 and the Strada Statale 389var of Buddusò and Correboi (80 kilometres).
Palio degli Asinelli: Great event in Sardinia
With the Palio degli Asinelli, recognized as the “Great Event of Sardinia”, the spectacle of donkey races, processions and the final party is staged. An event that the Pro Loco association of Ollolai, the town that constitutes the main center of the homonymous Barbagia, has built over the course of 19 editions (and 17 editions of “Su Palu de sos bihinados“).
The Palio originated in 1970 as a challenge between the town’s neighborhoods on the wings of old legends. After a few years of necessary running-in, the event has taken on the character of a decisive historical re-enactment. Its realization involves the whole country since the various neighborhoods provide for the preparation of the procession and to prepare the runner who defends his color with the donkey. Currently there are five districts or Vihinados, with colors and animals that distinguish them: Yellow, Red, Green, Black and Celeste.
The objective of the event is the promotion of the Sardinian donkey, an indispensable animal in the past as it was used as a beast of burden, especially in inaccessible territories; with the motorization it has lost many of its prerogatives. However, there remains the possibility of safeguarding and enhancing the endangered donkey species and at the same time developing local economies through a harmonious relationship with the environment and the territory and total respect for human health and psychophysical well-being.
The donkey is an animal with a meek and sincere character, a friend of children, and the embodiment of slowness and tranquility, but also of meekness, sobriety and humility; all rare qualities in today’s world that the association wants to safeguard.
20th edition program (2023)
The Pro Loco Tourist Association of Ollolai, with the patronage of the Municipality, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, the BIM Taloro, the Union of Barbagia Municipalities, AGRIS, organizes the “20th PALIO DEGLI ASINELLI“, the “18th PALU DE SOS VIHINADOS” and “11th MEDIEVAL PROCESSION OF SARDINIA“, with the participation of the Flag-wavers and Musicians of the Borgo Moretta of the Palio of Alba PIEDMONT, of the Drummers and Trumpeters of the Sartiglia “Gruppo Città di Oristano” SARDINIA and of the “de SU PALU” wagon with the official entrance of the BANNER 2023, on the evening of 15 July 2023 from 21:00.
Below is the program for the event which will take place from 14 to 15 July 2023 in Ollolai (NU).
FRIDAY 14 JULY 2023
12:00 (PRO LOCO HEADQUARTERS)
- DEADLINE REGISTRATION PALIO DEGLI DONKEYS.
- TO FOLLOW PALIO BATTERY EXTRACTION.
19:00 PIAZZA MARCONI (live on sardegnalive.net)
- EVENT OPENING.
- INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE 20TH EDITION OF THE PALIO DEGLI ASINELLI.
- Rite of the Blessing of Sos “VIHINADOS” presided over by the parish priest Don Franco Pala (three representatives for each district, wearing the shirts of the neighborhood and carrying the standard, will receive the blessing for the next day’s palio). In addition, the new banner for the 2023 winning district will be presented and blessed.
- Followed by “OLLOLAI IN FESTA” Grand Gala presentation for the Palio degli Asinelli, with the participation of Giuliano Marongiu, Laura Spano, Peppino Bande – Presented by Roberto Tangianu.
SATURDAY 15 JULY 2023
10:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00 PLANETARIUM in Via Ospitone
- Guided tours organized by the Community Coop (Info: 3201878872 – 3400862813).
11:00 COUNCIL CHAMBER Piazza Marconi
- Welcoming ceremony for the delegation of the Republic of KENYA.
12:00 MARCONI SQUARE
- OPENING OF THE ETHNIC ETHNIC EXHIBITION OF SARDINIAN DONKEY AND ASINARA DONKEY in collaboration with the Department of Research for the increase in horse riding “AGRIS Sardegna”.
13:00
- SOS VIHINADOS: LUNCH IN THE CONTRADES PARTICIPATING IN THE PALIO.
21:00 MARCONI SQUARE
- 20th PALIO OF DONKEYS in NIGHT.
- 18th PALU DE SOS VIHINADOS.
- MEDIEVAL PROCESSION OF SARDINIA, Flag-wavers and Musicians of the Borgo Moretta of the Palio di Alba PIEDMONT, Drummers and Trumpeters of the Sartiglia – City Group of Oristano SARDINIA and the “de SU PALU” chariot with the official entrance of the 2023 BANNER.
Evening programme
- 21:00 Ethnic show by the “DILLIRIANA” Group with Carlo Crisponi (Voice), Gianluca Fadda (Voice), Silvano Fadda (Organetto), Giovanni Demelas (Keyboard).
- 21:20 Hymns of the Palio.
- 21:30 Medieval Procession of Sardinia and the “SU PALU” Cart.
- 10.00 pm Start of elimination heats.
- 11.00 pm Final.
- 11.30 pm 18th Palu de Sos Vihinados de Ollolai.
- HOURS 24:00 Awards and Fireworks Show.
